Los Angeles Dodgers’ Brian Dozier, right, is congratulated by Cody Bellinger, left, and Justin Turner after hitting a three-run home run during the fifth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers in a baseball game Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

It took Brian Dozier about five seconds to endear himself to Hollywood.

And no, we’re not talking about that smile.

Since the Twins traded Dozier to the Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday afternoon, the power-hitting second baseman has already blasted two home runs to go along with five runs batted in. He wasn’t in the lineup for Friday’s game against the Milwaukee Brewers, so he failed to add to those totals.

“I’m happy for him,” Twins manager Paul Molitor said. “I don’t think it was going to affect him to go out there and be a part of the Dodgers and be a part of the pennant race. He has the ability to elevate. It’s a good start for him.”

Without Dozier in the lineup, as well as Eduardo Escobar, who was traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks last week, the Twins will need other players to step up in the coming weeks.

“It’s a little different trying to put the lineup together without those guys,” Molitor said. “We are trying to find some good combinations to give us the best chance to score. I think think we’ve got enough guys in the lineup that can contribute. We will see how it plays out.”

SANO IMPROVING

Miguel Sano roped a two-run double to left field during Friday’s game against the Kansas City Royals, yet another step forward following a six-week stint in the minors.

“You’re just looking for the little things,” Molitor said before the game, adding that he already has noticed some improvements. “We talked a lot about when he went down, in addition to getting after it physically, that he had to get better at pitch recognition and some of those types of things, and I think we’ve seen that. You’re just looking for consistency.”

BRIEFLY

Asked to provide an update on center fielder Byron Buxton, who went back on the disabled list in Triple-A earlier this week, Molitor would say only the team plans to re-evaluate him sometime next week. Buxton has been dealing with a strained left wrist and re-aggravated the injury earlier this week.

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